The border lay just beyond the snow filled valley; over the next ridge and past the wide river that separated that part of Canada from the United States on the other side. In either direction lay countless acres of forests and reservation land, with no signs of civilisation beyond the headlights of passing cars as they cautiously made their way along the icy country roads.
Without the storm obstructing the view, the sky was crisp and clear, allowing Alice to see for miles around. At the highest point upon the overlook, it felt as though they were on top of the world; high above the struggles that had plagued them for far too long. Those troubling times were over now though, and she quietly promised never to become entangled in the affairs of vampire kind ever again. It was better to distance herself from immortal society entirely, which was exactly what she planned to do.
**********
Sam hated keeping secrets, especially from the girl who he considered to be his oldest and closest friend. However, he had made a deal that he had every intention of keeping; his immortal soul and his sworn silence in exchange for Alice's unlife. He could still picture her lying there on the bed and the panic that he felt when he couldn't rouse her. He remembered running outside in a panicked state, desperately looking for help that proved to be elusive.
Sam had been crying out for someone to save Alice; begging anyone who would listen to the words of a mad man. In the back of his mind, he knew that the situation was beyond the realm of mortals, as all they would see is someone covered in blood with a dead body stashed in his motel room. But Sam hadn't been in a rational frame of mind at the time, especially not when it came to losing Alice. It was in that brief moment of desperation that the red witch came from the woods, striding out from between the trees with a large raven upon her shoulder.
Morgana had whispered promises in Sam's ear in his moment of weakness and proposed a trade that he foolishly accepted without question. It wasn't until much later that he came to realise exactly how much she had taken from him in exchange for her services. He may have bitten off more than he could chew when he struck a deal with a woman whose motives had never been made clear, but he had already made his choice and refused to back out now. The witch's ritual had given Alice the strength that she needed to fight against whatever Katherine had done to her mind, and Sam would sign his name in blood all over again if he had to. The cost of saving his dear friend was worth far more than the price of his own damnation.
Almost as suddenly as Morgana had appeared, she was gone; her raven flying off into the sky before it disappeared as if it had never even been there at all. The witch had warned him that she would call upon his services when the time was right; using him for whatever nefarious means that she deemed fit. If he refused her command or broke his oath of silence by speaking about the deal to anyone, he would have to pay a much greater price, and Alice would surely suffer because of it.
Sam knew that he would come to regret his decision, but he refused to feel guilty for wanting to save his best friend. No matter what, he would do all that the witch asked of him; accepting the fate that he had agreed to voluntarily. It was a binding promise that couldn't be broken, and the time would eventually come when he would be forced to reap what he sowed.
Finally emerging from his thoughts, Sam looked out over the winter wonderland that seemed to glow under the moonlight; the trees standing completely still as if they had been captured by a photograph. What he saw was nature in all its beauty, suspended in time at least for the moment.
Taking in the spectacular view one last time, Sam stretched his arms out in front of him before glancing over at Alice with a forced smile. "Are you ready to go?"
"Sure, that's probably a good idea." she nodded with a warm smile of her own, the moonlight glinting in her eyes as she looked at him. "We still have a long way to go."
Sam lifted his legs up off the edge of the cliff and clambered to his feet, holding a hand out to Alice as he offered to help her stand. "Come on. Let's get out of here."
Alice took his hand and pulled herself up, standing next to him as a friend, a companion and an equal. "I'm ready when you are."
They turned in unison and began to make their way back to where they had parked their 'borrowed' car, the moon illuminating the woods before them.
The little vehicle was exactly where they had left it, sitting on a dirt track just the other side of the tree line. It was an old, compact hatchback with far more miles on its odometer than they had left to travel; a little more modern than their former campervan, but not by many years. The doors opened with a creak that sounded painfully loud in the dead of winter, the tree air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror lacking all traces of its once potent smell. As the pair slid into their seats and buckled themselves in, they both let out a simultaneous sigh of relief that caused them both to chuckle.
With a growing grin, Alice took the wheel and put the car into reverse; turning them around in order to head down the hill towards the main road. If all went smoothly, they would be back in the United States long before morning, leaving ample time for them to find a place to shelter from the day's sun.
Sam couldn't help but feel glad as they left that chapter of their past behind them; the promise of a brighter future bringing some level of peace to his troubled mind. They had both been through far more than most and were ready to settle back into a quiet country lifestyle, so remote that there would be little chance of bumping into any other vampires. A place where they could learn to control their instincts and figure out how to coexist with the beast inside.
And yet despite the positive outlook and the hope of a belated homecoming, there was a sense of foreboding that overshadowed any plans that they might have. The black raven was a sign of things to come and the dark promise that Sam had made to a being far more powerful than himself. There was no doubt that Morgana would remember what she was owed, but there was no telling when she would come to collect. All that he could hope was that there would be time to recuperate and rest before the red witch came knocking.
Sam needed time to build his strength, to put to rest all those whom he had lost, and to fully come to terms with who and what he had become. Most of all, he just wanted to spend time with his best and only true friend, Alice Delaney; the once feral girl who had proven herself time and time again. She had been through hell and back, growing into her skin as she fought against adversity and became so much more than she had ever been meant to be.
The two of them were proof that their fates were determined by themselves and themselves alone. They had been forced to learn that freedom was something that was earned, not given, and that true strength came from solidarity. United they could overcome any obstacle, relying on each other to get through it all. Whatever the future held in store, whatever their unlives threw at them; they would both be ready for it. They would face it all together.
Epilogue: Another Night, Another Story
It was just another average and uneventful night in a small little town in the country where nothing interesting ever happened. Some might call it dull, but not Arlene Tanner. She was a local girl, born and raised, and knew just about everyone and everything that there was to know. If you were in need of directions, she was the person to ask and she would always give them with a smile.
The townsfolk considered themselves lucky just to know Arlene, and those who counted her amongst their closest friends were well and truly blessed. Sure, she lived alone and still worked the same old job that she had for years, at that same little diner downtown, but at least she felt like she belonged. No matter what anyone said, this place was her home and she was happy every single day that she woke up with the sun shining through her bedroom window. It was her own little slice of the American dream.
It was just after eight on a Friday night and the sun had long set, with a slight chill blowing in from the north. Winter was finally coming to an end and spring was just around the corner; a season full of hope and new beginnings. This was around the ti
me that Arlene usually went to the store to feed her addiction; a packet of cigarettes to ease the day's worries and a glass of whiskey to relax her before bed.
Most folks were already down at the local bar, but not predictable Miss Tanner. Her mom always said that Friday evenings were for winding down after a long week's work and Saturday nights were meant for drinking, a mantra that Arlene had based her entire life around. Socialising with friends could wait another day, for she was a creature of habit; set in her ways, and very rarely did she stray from her routine.
The store clerk and lifetime owner, a fairly large man named Wendel, went through his usual list of gossip as he served Arlene the same way as he always had. She had frequented the same country store day after day, year after year, ever since she was a little girl and she didn't ever plan on going anywhere else. The old man was as close to family as her own blood, a regular church goer and a pillar of the community. Arlene would never dream of taking her business elsewhere, nor did she have any wish to move away from all that she had ever known; unlike her childhood friends who had left for the big city a long time ago. This little town was where she belonged, and it was there that she would live and die.
"Did ya hear 'bout Mrs Morris' fall?" Wendel asked from behind the counter as he fetched a pack of cigarettes off the back wall.
"I did, poor dear." Arlene replied sympathetically, rooting around in her purse for some cash. "She's gettin' clumsy with age."
The old man hobbled back over to the counter and slammed the cigarettes down with a huge grin upon his face. "Aren't we all?"
"Easy there, Wendel." Arlene warned with a smile as she brushed her fading red hair out of her face. "I'm barely over the hill."
"And I'm close to tumblin' down it." Wendel laughed as he exchanged her crumpled banknote for a small assortment of coins.
Arlene beamed at him. "Will we be seein' you at the fundraiser tomorrow?"
"Sure will!" he nodded with his usual warm and welcoming Southern charm. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Returning the gesture with a quick nod of her own, Arlene smiled politely as she put her things away in her handbag. "Well I best be on my way. Have a good night, y'hear?"
"Back at ya, Arlene." Wendel waved as he plopped himself back down on his stool behind the counter. "See ya in the mornin', hun."
As Arlene turned to leave, she caught sight of a young man standing at the back of the store by the fridges. She hadn't noticed him there before, but for some reason he now stood out like a sore thumb. Whoever he was, he was at least half her age, dark haired and so very handsome. A little taller than her, but not by much, he was average in build, but the way that he carried himself made him seem much larger. His flawless complexion was the colour of ivory; his short hair impeccable and his face clean shaven.
While Arlene stared in awe at the mysterious stranger's features for a little longer than was considered polite, he noticed her lingering gaze and peered back at her with eyes so deep that they seemed to go on forever. As they shared a moment between them, his perfect lips began to curl into a smile that drew her in further; a voice in her head whispering for her to approach.
A stranger passing through town? Oh, how rare and exciting! The curiosity was nearly overwhelming, and Arlene wasn't sure that she could stand it for a second longer. Even if she wanted to resist the man's obvious magnetism, she wasn't sure that she could. She was so very lonely and had been for quite some time, so she was more than willing to do whatever she could to get near the handsome fellow. As she took a step toward him, the door to the store opened in her path and cut her off; instantly halting her advance. The distinct ring of a bell announced the arrival of a customer who politely nodded a greeting to Arlene as they passed her by; their slow and deliberate walk causing her some frustration.
Losing sight of the man for barely a few seconds, Arlene felt his hold on her subside; a feeling that for some reason didn't return when she laid eyes upon him again. Strangely enough, he looked away from her now; purposely averting his gaze as he hurried for the open door. She caught a brief glimpse of the shame upon his face as he made his hasty exit, as if he had just done something that he was far from proud of; something that she had missed entirely. Before Arlene could open her mouth to say a single word, the stranger was gone; disappearing off into the cool night air so fast that she found it difficult to follow.
Managing to catch the door just before it could close behind the mysterious figure, Arlene quickly made her way outside; stopping just shy of the curb to search the immediate area for any sign of him. She peered out into the parking lot, over to the icebox and back towards the dumpster at the side of the building, but there was no sight nor sound of him there at all. All she could see in the darkness was her own parked car a few feet away and an empty pickup truck sitting next to it with the lights on and engine still running.
Just to Arlene's right was a third vehicle; a little hatchback with a blonde haired girl sitting alone in the driver's seat. It seemed that there was another stranger in town, but not the one that she was seeking. She was somewhat saddened by the man's sudden disappearance, as if he were the one that got away and she had missed an opportunity of a lifetime. It was a chance meeting that had ended before it even began, as the handsome young fellow seemed to have dropped off the face of the Earth.
With an exaggerated sigh, Arlene turned to head back to her car, coming to accept that she was going to spend another night on her own in front of the television. It was then that she came face to face with the man who she thought she had lost; the dark pools of his eyes locking with hers as she found herself caught in his dreamy gaze.
"Oh… Hey there." Arlene blurted out, completely caught off guard by the stranger's sudden appearance.
"You're following me." He was blunt and straight to the point, an odd sort of fellow with no time for niceties.
Arlene tried to think quickly, but ended up stumbling over her words. "No… I mean yes I was, but not really." She knew that she sounded like a bit of a creep, but she really couldn't help it. It was as if he were drawing her in like a moth to the flame and she was already close to getting burnt.
"Why?" The man glared at her, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"Curiosity, I suppose?" Arlene realised that she was coming off as stupid, but for some reason she couldn't seem to save herself at all.
There was a clear expression of annoyance upon the stranger's face as he continued to look at her. "Don't."
"I'm truly sorry…" she replied apologetically, knowing full well that this wasn't how her mom had raised her. "I know it ain't polite."
"It's fine." The stranger dismissed her coldly and turned to walk away, heading towards the little car parked nearby and the blonde girl waiting inside.
Arlene felt flustered and completely embarrassed. Of course a young and handsome man such as that had a girlfriend; what had she been thinking? She was far too old to be picking up men at the country store and had completely forgotten how to flirt. How foolish she felt to believe that events could have played out in any other way. All she wanted to do now was go home and hide. There was a pint of ice cream in the freezer with her name on it and an indentation on her couch that fit her perfectly. Just the sort of comfort that she needed.
"Well… Have a good night." Arlene waved sheepishly, still trying to act like a good country girl should.
Soon realising that she had been completely ignored, Arlene shook her head slowly and turned to walk back to her own old and reliable vehicle. She took her sweet time, groaning in disapproval of her own actions until the stranger's voice stopped her in her tracks once more.
"Wait." There was an undeniable sense of authority in the man's voice, and a commanding presence behind it that Arlene simply couldn't walk away from.
Trying not to seem too hopeful or as desperate as she felt, Arlene turned to face him again and saw that he was staring at her with a strange look of longing in his eyes.
"Can I help you?"
she asked pensively; shuffling nervously on the spot.
The man's pupils were dilated as he stood there opposite her; his deadpan expression refusing to give anything away as he continued to stare. It was impossible to tell what was running through his mind; the tension between them so thick that it could be cut with a knife. Time seemed to slow down as they peered into each other's eyes, while Arlene still struggled to work out exactly what was going on.
"Yes." the dark stranger finally answered, his voice low and strangely different to how it had been before. It was almost as if he was a different person altogether; the rude and disdainful attitude replaced with something far more intense and intimidating. "I'm starving."
Before Arlene could even comprehend what the man had said, he rushed at her faster than she could blink. All she saw was a blur of teeth and sharp fangs as they latched onto her within the space of a second. She dropped her purse in a panic, the contents spilling out over the sidewalk as she tried to break free. The scream building up in her throat was silenced by a numbing sensation that took over her entire body, leaving her paralysed and completely helpless in his arms.
As the world around her fell away, Arlene was left stranded within the cold of a darkness from which she was unable to escape. She could just about hear the slam of a car door, the sound of which was soon followed by the panicked cry of a girl whose voice she didn't recognise, but from whom she somehow felt a kindred spirit.
"Oh God…" The unmistakable accent of a fellow Kansan seemed to sympathise with her plight, but from the obvious distress in their tone and the familiarity with which they spoke, Arlene could already tell that it was far too late. "Sam… What have you done?!?"
**********
Nadia quickly stepped through the doorway to her hotel suite and spun around to face it, pushing the door closed just enough so that no one else could enter as she braced it with a foot. She waited there and readied herself for a confrontation; the steady sound of footsteps approaching from somewhere down the hall. This wasn't the first time that this had happened to her, nor would it be the last, as men threw themselves at her night after night whether she wanted them to or not.
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